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Richmond
Madison
County, KY
August 29-30, 1862
Campaign: Confederate Heartland
Offensive (1862)
Maj. Gen. William Nelson, USA
Maj. Gen. E. Kirby Smith, CSA
The Confederate Army of Kentucky (about 18,000) slammed into two Union
brigades.
Union losses were about 5,000, while they only inflicted about 500.
In Maj. Gen. Kirby Smith's 1862 Confederate offensive into Kentucky, Brig.
Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne led the advance with Col. John S. Scott's cavalry out
in front. The Rebel cavalry, while moving north from Big Hill on the road to
Richmond, Kentucky, on August 29, encountered Union troopers and began
skirmishing. After noon, Union artillery and infantry joined the fray, forcing
the Confederate cavalry to retreat to Big Hill. At that time, Brig. Gen. Mahlon
D. Manson, who commanded Union forces in the area, ordered a brigade to march to
Rogersville, toward the Rebels. Fighting for the day stopped after pursuing
Union forces briefly skirmished with Cleburne's men in late afternoon. That
night, Manson informed his superior, Maj. Gen. William Nelson, of his situation,
and he ordered another brigade to be ready to march in support, when required.
Kirby Smith ordered Cleburne to attack in the morning and promised to hurry
reinforcements (Churchill's division). Cleburne started early, marching north,
passed through Kinston, dispersed Union skirmishers, and approached Manson's
battle line near Zion Church. As the day progressed, additional troops joined
both sides. Following an artillery duel, the battle began, and after a concerted
Rebel attack on the Union right, the Yankees gave way. Retreating into
Rogersville, the Yankees made another futile stand at their old bivouac. By now,
Smith and Nelson had arrived and taken command of their respective armies.
Nelson rallied some troops in the cemetery outside Richmond, but they were
routed. Nelson and some men escaped but the Rebels captured approximately 4,000
Yankees. The way north was open.
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